Terrafirma will no longer be allowed to move its players in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) following its sale to Starhorse Shipping Lines over the weekend.

Multiple sources told DAILY TRIBUNE that Starhorse and Terrafirma had already agreed in principle to acquire the PBA franchise lock, stock and barrel for over P100 million — the same amount Converge coughed out when it acquired Alaska three years ago.

The agreement was formalized on Saturday afternoon by Starhorse chairperson Merian Reyes and Terrafirma owner Jose Alvarez while Terrafirma board governor Bobby Rosales is already working on securing the approval of the PBA board of governors for the transfer of ownership.

The Dyip need two-thirds votes from the league’s most powerful body headed by TNT Tropang Giga governor Ricky Vargas for the sale to become final.

Should all roadblocks have been removed and necessary requirements have been met, Terrafirma will make its last hurrah in the Philippine Cup that will start in April, formally ending its nine-year run in Asia’s oldest professional league.

On the other hand, Starhorse, which will be called “Sea Titans” as a nod to its line of business, will make its debut in the league’s 50th season.

With that, the Dyip will no longer be allowed to participate in any player movement. Topping the Dyip’s current assets are Stanley Pringle, Terrence Romeo, Brent Paraiso, Paolo Hernandez, Kemark Cariño and Mark Nonoy as well as the rights to former top overall picks Christian Standhardinger and Roosevelt Adams.

Starhorse, meanwhile, will be allowed to elevate its players from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League to the PBA unless they have yet to be drafted.

Among the undrafted players in the Starhorse’s MPBL roster are former Lyceum of the Philippines University hotshot Omar Larupay, Cebuano sniper Emanuel Calo and former University of Perpetual Help System Dalta swingman Gab Dagangon.

Also in Starhorse’s MPBL squad are former PBA players like nine-time champion Arwind Santos and former collegiate superstars Jervy Cruz, and Rabeh Al-Hussaini.

Terrfirma’s nine-year run in the PBA was marred with frustrations as it made it to the quarterfinals only twice while gaining a reputation of trading away its top picks that greatly reduced its chances of winning. IVAN SUING